The 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed concerns about his age, challenging critics to judge whether he looks like someone approaching 80.

Atiku spoke in an interview with BBC Hausa published on Friday while responding to questions about whether his age could affect his ability to provide effective leadership for a four-year presidential term.

The interviewer pointed out that Atiku would be “almost or nearly 80 years old” by the 2027 election and asked what he would tell Nigerians who believe he is too old to become president.

Atiku, while referring to President Bola Tinubu’s age, questioned the basis of the concern.

“You went and voted for someone who is 80, I mean 90 years old. How old is President Bola, 90?” he asked.

After the interviewer clarified that Tinubu was not yet 80, Atiku responded: “Do I look to you like someone who has reached 80 years of age?”

The former vice president is currently mobilising support for the 2027 election and seeking to strengthen opposition cooperation against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Atiku also rejected claims that he had become a stumbling block to the opposition coalition, insisting that he was one of those who initiated the movement.

“That is a baseless accusation levelled against me. I was actually the one who initiated the coalition. Nobody else… I, Atiku Abubakar, started it,” he said.

According to him, most of the politicians who began the coalition remain together despite disagreements among some opposition leaders.

He identified Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso as two major opposition figures who had pulled out of the group.

“It was just Kwankwaso… he was with us at first, then he left,” Atiku said.

On Obi, he added: “Yes, and also Peter Obi. It’s just them, but the rest of us are still here continuing our work.”

Atiku, however, said there was still room for opposition politicians to reunite before the 2027 election.

“Nothing is impossible, by God’s grace.

“One day you’ll see… we have agreed to work together to save this country and its poor citizens, Insha Allah,” he said.

The ADC candidate also criticised the Federal Government over the removal of the petrol subsidy, questioning how the savings from the policy had been spent.

“I did not oppose the removal of the oil subsidy, but where is the money? Where did it go?” Atiku asked.

He argued that the savings should have been channelled into reducing poverty, improving education, tackling insecurity and creating opportunities for young Nigerians.

“Where is the money now? It seems they are just stealing it,” he alleged.

Atiku further pledged to restore the petrol subsidy if elected president, while calling for anyone who allegedly diverted the funds to refund the money.

“If elected, I will bring back the oil subsidy, and whoever stole the money must refund it,” he said.

He maintained that the subsidy could have been removed without causing the level of hardship Nigerians are currently experiencing if the resulting savings had been properly utilised.

2027: Do I Look Like Someone Approaching 80? – Atiku

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